Muscat – Oman’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has rolled out a new regulatory framework governing telecom pricing and promotions, aimed at safeguarding consumers, preventing unsustainable competition, and ensuring continued investment in the sector.
The rules, finalized after consultations with operators including Omantel, Ooredoo, Vodafone, Awaser, and Majan Telecom, empower the TRA to monitor market trends and intervene if aggressive price drops threaten market stability. For example, if service prices fall more than 10% within six months or if average revenue per user declines by over 5%, operators may be required to obtain prior approval before revising tariffs.
The framework also allows the TRA to impose a three-month “cooling-off period” to halt potential price wars. Promotional offers are capped at four per service within six months, limited to 60 days in duration, and restricted to active subscribers. No offer can lock customers into contracts exceeding 12 months, and operators may only extend discounts to a maximum of 5% of their customer base at a time.
Operators have voiced differing views: Omantel has proposed a minimum price per gigabyte to avoid a “race to the bottom,” while Ooredoo and Vodafone stressed the importance of consistent enforcement. Awaser argued that restrictions should primarily apply to dominant operators.
Concerns were also raised over SME access, prompting the TRA to adjust the framework by removing “commercial users” from restrictions while confirming that government entities remain eligible.
The TRA emphasized that the framework will be subject to regular reviews to adapt to evolving market conditions and emerging technologies, reinforcing its role in balancing fair competition with consumer protection.
